Home Depot Crowns its NFL Neighborhood MVP

With the sports spotlight on Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl week, the city was the perfect backdrop to build a playground with gridiron greats – and announce the winner of this year’s NFL Neighborhood MVP award. 

Seven NFL Neighborhood MVPs joined forces with volunteers from The Home Depot, KaBOOM! and local nonprofits to build a playground for King Kids Academy in just one day. This “All-Star” playground provides a safe place to have fun for more than 4,600 children who use the East Tampa park. Finalists Jason Witten, Steve Smith, Brian Dawkins, Mike Furrey, Andre Johnson, Keith Brooking and Amani Toomer all participated. Kurt Warner, the other finalist for this year’s award, could not attend due to Super Bowl preparations.

The playground build was the culmination of The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP program, which for two years has recognized and celebrated NFL players for their commitment to giving back to their local communities. At the start of the pro football season, 17 players were selected for their volunteer efforts, and the list was narrowed to eight finalists who were recognized at the All-Star playground build as part of Super Bowl festivities.

More than 250,000 NFL fans voted for a community MVP, selecting Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys as the winner of this year’s award.

“Each of these players rolled up their sleeves and went to work with volunteers from KaBOOM! and The Home Depot in 2008 to build state-of-the-art playgrounds for kids in need in just one day,” said Frank Bifulco, chief marketing officer for The Home Depot. “We are proud to be associated with all of these great role models, and are thrilled to name Jason this year’s Neighborhood MVP.”

Jason received a $25,000 donation to the Jason Witten Foundation, as well as a trophy commemorating his selection.

“It’s a great privilege to be honored for my accomplishments off the field and to be recognized among so many other great athletes and humanitarians in this league,” Jason said. “Giving back to the community has always been a priority of mine, and I’m encouraged by programs like the NFL Neighborhood MVP that recognize athletes for doing their part to help the less fortunate.”

As an extension of the Neighborhood MVP program, The Home Depot again teamed with United Way to recognize customers who are making a positive impact in their local communities. Christine Alexander was selected as this year’s Community All-Star based on her work with New Haven Reads, an organization she founded six years ago to increase youth literacy in New Haven, Conn.

The Home Depot also honored one of its store associates as the Associate Neighborhood MVP. Christine Colella, cross merchandiser at Store 8526 in Palm Springs, Calif., was honored for her efforts in feeding the homeless. Both honorees received an all-expenses paid trip to Super Bowl XLIII, where they also helped the NFL MVP finalists build the All-Star playground.

Christine was selected via an associate essay competition. Her essay shared why she’s so passionate about giving back. “Each day I strive to make a positive difference in every person I interact with. I also try to encourage others by living my life with honesty and integrity. Volunteering in my community not only lifts the souls and nourishes the spirits of the homeless, but also lifts mine. A great meal has the power to heal and transform a person. I pray that I will always remain teachable and grateful.”

Thanks to the NFL MVP program, more than 2,600 Home Depot associates donated more than 21,000 hours of service to erect 17 playgrounds, in addition to building benches, planting trees and installing fencing. In total, The Home Depot, the NFL and KaBOOM! helped create a safe place to play for nearly 12,000 children and their families across the country.